3-3.5. This felt unlike her other books. Much more romantic comedy and much less heartache. I loved the rom-com side of it, but it was marketed to me as a heartbreaking Christmas book and I just didn’t feel like it was either? I loved the romance and gasped at one point. Don’t regret reading it, but not my favorite.

3.5 ⭐️

A little slower and sadder than I was expecting, but the last few chapters added a half star for me. It was a cute, happy ending which I enjoyed.

Emily Stone's writing has been nothing more than a cherry on top for romance fiction.
This includes the enemies to lovers trope to be able to both have their HEA. Although she never expected to hear anything about her fathers company, the last thing Lexie thought was the inheritance money he left her. Crazy to think about the money it did with a contingent plan that included someone already at her fathers company.

This was written beautifully and definitely a season book that made everything so cozy.

I liked the main character, Lexie, and I empathized with all the heartbreak she has been through in her life. I hated how her dad didn't feel like he could be in her life, and continually chose her stepmom over her. It wasn't right. I'm glad she was able to, after his death, find some peace with her broken relationship with him. This book is a reminder that we don't always know the whole story of what people are going through and that people can have different relationships with someone.

Super cute enemies-to-lovers with a dash of travel sprinkled in.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lexie is a nomad, traveling the world one gig at a time, so when her estranged father passes away and leaves her half of his business in Bath, she is not interested in settling down to run it. Especially since Theo, the guy who was left the other half, is insufferable. She decided to give it a try anyways and learns there’s more to Theo, her dad, and the company he built.

I know this sounds straight out of hallmark but I do appreciate that this book spans a whole year, so the relationship between Theo and Lexie has some time to develop. Plus, even though it’s throughout the year, there’s tons of Christmas still — even a Christmas in July scene, which was very creative!

I always find Emily Stone’s books a bit more emotional, and this one is no different with Lexie’s father passing away, but it wasn’t too teary of a read this time, which was nice!

Looooved all the travel in this too. I now want to go to Iceland so badly! The audiobook is fantastic, by the way!

While this was well-written and engaging, I couldn't connect with it. It seemed to be everything I would love in a book, but I just wanted more interaction between the main characters leading up to a romance. It seemed disjointed in a lot of ways.

This story was so cute. I loved the banter and the plot. It didn't feel predictable. I really liked the characters.

This book is everything you want in a Christmas read. The characters were so easy to fall in love with, it was charming, it had just enough spice. I was hooked from the jump and I didn’t want it to end. I look forward to Emily Stone’s Holiday read’s every year. She does not disappoint!

I have been a big fan of Emily Stone’s previous books and was excited to read her latest!

This book is very cute and I enjoyed the plot- I thought the travel company in it sounded like an amazing idea and I liked hearing about the travel. I also felt that it did a good job of working through Lexie’s feelings towards her dad which I understood as someone who had a complicated relationship with my dad.

I just found the book a bit repetitive and slow at times. I also felt like there was a lack of chemistry between the two MC and I never really felt behind their romance.

Overall it was cute, but probably my least fave of the author’s books. I will continue to try her books in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

There’s something magical about a holiday book that feels both cozy and bittersweet, and A Winter Wish delivers just that. Emily Stone’s storytelling shines with her ability to weave heartwarming moments with themes of grief, love, and the rediscovery of joy. She makes you feel as though you are part of the story and the warmest welcome.

Lexie has many conflicting emotions when learning about her estranged father’s death. Especially when she inherits part of his travel company. The catch is Lexie must help the company turn a profit within a year. Now Lexie must learn to work with her father’s business partner Theo who seems to hold a lot of resentment towards her. As Lexie travels on tours and comes up with ideas of her own for the company, Theo’s attitude towards her begins to thaw. Both begin to open up and examine their relation with Lexie’s father and each other. But will the company succeed or fail? Will Lexie move on when year is over?

As usual, Emily Stone gives us all the feels in the comfort of a holiday romance.

There’s something magical about a holiday book that feels both cozy and bittersweet, and A Winter Wish delivers just that. Emily Stone’s storytelling shines with her ability to weave heartwarming moments with themes of grief, love, and the rediscovery of joy.

The novel follows Evie as she navigates life after loss, bringing her signature warmth to the tradition of granting Christmas wishes. The premise tugged at my heartstrings immediately, but what really hooked me was how Stone balances Evie’s journey of healing with the charm of the holiday season. The settings are vibrant and atmospheric—snowy markets, twinkling lights, and cozy firesides that feel like stepping into a Hallmark scene but with richer emotional layers.

Stone’s characters feel achingly real. Evie’s vulnerability is relatable, and the romance unfolds with a slow-burn tenderness that’s both sweet and deeply satisfying. It's not without its moments of frustration—miscommunications and emotional hesitation can feel drawn out—but it fits the narrative arc of growth and second chances.

While the plot is a little predictable in parts, that’s part of the appeal with holiday reads. It’s less about the twists and more about the emotional journey, and A Winter Wish wraps you in a story full of love, hope, and the power of connection.

If you’re in the mood for a holiday story with heart, Emily Stone delivers once again. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy evening, hot chocolate in hand.

It’s the holiday season, and Lexie seems to be a nanny on vacation helping two young charges decorate a tree at a ski resort where she’s had enough time to hook up. Out at the bar and off duty she gets a call that her father has passed. The funeral is attended by his other daughter., Rachel, who seems genuinely distraught—Lexie cannot relate, as Richard may have been a father but was never a dad. And then the novel takes an abrupt left when we learn Lexie and Theo—her dad’s employee—have been willed his travel company and have to commit to a year of working together to inherit. Rachel gets the house.

At 10% through, I put this one down. I’m not sure if the writing style is a mismatch or it’s just poor writing—lots of exposition that doesn’t even tell very much. The very vague beginning, too many characters to keep straight, and lack of warm, cheery, holiday appeal made this a DNF for me.

I have come to look forward to Emily Stone's winter/holiday books and this was another lovely read for the season!

This book combines travel and celebrations and it was really just perfect for the Christmas season but it could easily be read any time of the year.

If you're looking for a book that's more than just a fluffy Hallmark-y book that's still seasonal this would be a perfect book, especially if you like learning about other areas/cultures and their celebrations.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Here it is - my last holiday read of the season. I didn't love this one, but I didn't dislike it either. It just wasn't her strongest book.

I did really enjoy the sweet reveal as the story unravels that leads our MC to understand her father more after many years of a broken relationship. Outside of that, I just never felt all that connected to our main characters. Their romance just didn't make a ton of sense to me, and I wanted to see more chemistry from each of them.

Emily Stone usually gives us tear-jerker holiday reads, and this one strayed from her typical formula. It may have been that wish to have a happier ending and less drama that led this one a bit astray.

Bottom line: Try Always, in December or Love, Holly by this author for a stronger holiday tale.

This is a wonderful read for travel lovers.

Lexie inherits her father's travel company, but has to share it along Theo for a least a year. After a year the two can decide to sell the company.

The characters were likable throughout the story. Each adding something to the story. I enjoyed the writing and the story overall.

What I enjoyed most were the travel scenes. The characters discussing trips and experiences in various countries. I love to travel and have been lucky enough to visit some of the places mentioned. For me it added to the story.

I was expecting this to be more of a winter/Christmas read, but it wasn't. The story takes place over a year and for me the winter vibes were not present like I was expecting.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

When Lexi’s estranged father dies, she is shocked to find he has left her half of his travel company with a slight complication. She and his co-worker Theo must agree to run the business together for a year before they can consider selling. Lexie wants nothing to do with the business and plans to be a silent partner for the year. But a trip to Spain leaves her feeling more connected to both the company’s mission and to Theo.
I think this was the first Emily Stone holiday book that didn’t make me cry. Yes, it was still heavy and deep with grief as a central theme, but it wasn’t quite the shock to the system I’ve had from her previous books (and that was a welcome surprise). I love Emily Stone’s writing and how she manages to tackle deep themes within her romances. At its heart, this is a beautiful story about dealing with grief, self-acceptance, and dealing with challenging parent-child relationships. This paired with the travel and the slow-burn romance made for a beautiful story.
Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Enjoyable, and I’ll keep picking up Emily Stone! A nice medium touch on grief (it’s a main plot point, but not overly sad/emotional). But there were a few skimmed over scenes I would have liked (Dublin, Irish Country Inn, Vienna). Now where do I meet a travel agent boy??

Emily Stone does heartfelt and emotional centered around Christmas so well! I very much enjoy light hearted Christmas reads, but I also love these deeply emotional stories that Emily Stone weaves and I will read anything she writes. She delves into wishes made that don't come true, expectations not met, and relationships fraught with disappointment, but having strength in times of struggle, and that love that conquer all - whether that is romantic love, familial love, or friendship love. So well done!